Cllr Douglas

said they haven’t been instructed not to go after school litterbugs.

A spokesman said: “We wouldn’t give tickets to anyone under 16, and we’d really look for the Community Safety Wardens to issue warnings.

“We c a n ’ t c ha r g e someone. They’d get an early intervention warning, but they wouldn’t get a Fixed Penalty Ticket because they’d have to be charged in front of their parents.”

Police also said that while “campus cops” are based at schools around South Ayrshire, they often look to the safety wardens for guidance on matters such as litter.

The planning application, to convert the Belmont SubPost Office at Basra Stores to a hot food takeaway, was rejected by councillors.

The post office will close in March and shopkeepers had hoped to use the space to create a takeaway dealing in hot and cold filled rolls and pastries.

But councillors said it went against the local development plan, while residents objected over fears of “Indian food smells” in the area “24 hours a day” – despite owners arguing that the only food would be traditional bakery goods, and that the shop would not operate 24 hours a day. Lighting is planned at a danger car park in a sports field.

Councillors believed it was only a matter of time before a child was hurt at the Marr College playing fields in Troon.

New floodlit astro facilities attract scores of cars from parents and football and rugby players after dark.

An application has been made to install lights at the car park and neighbours are seeking assurances on timing and light pollution.